The Everyday Prayer

Memory of St. Pancratius, who died a martyr for the love of the Gospel when he was 14 years old. Prayer for younger generations so that they may meet the Gospel and the Lord.

Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

You are a chosen race,a royal priesthood, a holy nation,a people acquired by Godto proclaim his marvellous works.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

John 16,12-15

I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you to bear now.

However, when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking of his own accord, but will say only what he has been told; and he will reveal to you the things to come.

He will glorify me, since all he reveals to you will be taken from what is mine.

Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he reveals to you will be taken from what is mine.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

You will be holy,because I am holy, thus says the Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Jesus does not seem to want to stop speaking to his disciples. But the supper is nearing its end and Jesus tells them: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now." There is no rebuke in these words. Jesus chose the disciples personally, and he is well aware of their limitations; indeed he does not hide them. He still does not think that the disciples are able to bear the full weight of the Gospel. The Gospel certainly does not require experts, nor is Jesus looking for powerful, strong people to entrust with his mission. Indeed, he seems to be doing just the opposite. His word is not a high doctrine or a complex ideology that only a few are able to understand or elaborate on. From his teaching flows a simple and strong energy that fills hearts and transforms lives, an energy that everyone can welcome and live out. It is the energy of love. All the disciples are asked to do is to allow this energy to work and not to hold it back. The Holy Spirit "will guide [us] into all the truth," and help us to see the limits of the images to which we often bind ourselves. The Spirit frees us from our pettiness and places us within a circle of love that leads us to embrace many brothers and sisters, makes us stop beside the poor people that we meet, gives us the words to touch the hearts of those who are looking for friendship and understanding, and helps us defeat a way of life that urges us to set ourselves apart and try to prevail over others. If we let ourselves be guided by the Spirit we will know how to unveil future things, that is, how to dream for a different future. The Spirit helps us to be craftsmen and women who work with the Lord in creating a future for ourselves and others.